3 minute read
Brett Davis provides exclusive review of Sha Tin races.
RACE 1 - MOUNT PARKER HANDICAP, HK $750,000
Class 5 – Rating 40-0 - Turf 'A' Course – Distance 1600m – Track Good
Time: 1:35.89 Standard Time: 1:34.85 Course/Class Record: 1:34.38
Winner: JOY MASTER (AUS 6yo g Rogano – Irish Hut) gets the season underway and wins for leading trainer Caspar Fownes and star jockey Joao Moreira. A positive way for the gelding to begin the new season, he won third up lasts season but just the one win came from 15 runs in a slack post-Christmas stint. He may have to run in Class 4 again now but will be back in Class 5 and competitive again fairly soon.
Runner-up: ART OF RAW took command off the home bend and fought back gamely when the winner was produced wider on the track. Some 34 starts in Hong Kong for one win, that coming all the way back in April 2018 so another to show something positive first time out of the gates in the new term for trainer Michael Chang.
Run Of The Race: In a race where the back runners had little chance base don tempo GREEN GENERATION fired home really strongly from near last wide out and is worth a look next time around in Class 5.
Disappointment: WHO'S HORSE gained some very comfortable sectionals in front and had every chance to boot off the corner but he didn't offer a lot.
Comparison: Over a second outside standard time on the 'A' course tells us how slow they went. Very much a canter to kick off the new racing season.
Market Mover: JOY MASTER $2.70 to $2.60
RACE 2 - KOWLOON PEAK HANDICAP, HK $750,000
Class 5 – Rating 40-0 - Turf 'A' Course – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1: Standard Time: 1:09.90 Course/Class Record: 1:09.24
Winner: MONEYMORE (AUS 6yo g Reward For Effort – Just Stunning) begins the David Hayes comeback story in the best possible style, the master trainer's first winner back in Hong Kong with his first runner. And after 22 unsuccessful starts beforehand, it would come as a surprise of sorts to most that this horse would win, but Hayes had indicated the lowest-rated horse in his stable had worked so well in the lead-up he felt he could. Hayes will get another start or two in Class 5 with todays 25-rater so winning again at short notice seems an attainable target.
Runner-up: TELECOM MISSILE had been five times unplaced last season for Dennis Yip after being bought out of a two-year-old sale in Australia for $180,000. Fresh today and with Zac Purton legged up they found the necessary improvement, looming from sixth outer to win the race, only to be cut back late. The Class 5 victory awaits him.
Run Of The Race: MONEYMORE had to draw wide and sustain a run, in the end the clear best in the bunch, though ADONIS did do a nice job wider on the track into third. He's overdue some winning form, must come early this season.
Disappointment: Trapped three-deep on speed from gate 12 the task soon became too much for the well-rated FANTASTIC FABIO. Worth another chance from a better draw next time.
Comparison: A shade under standard with no fireworks here.
Market Mover: U W BROTHER $10.70 to $6.30
RACE 3 - YI TUNG SHAN HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 - Turf 'A' Course – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:09.60 Standard Time: 1:09.25 Course/Class Record: 1:08.45
Winner: WINSTON'S LAD (AUS 9yo g Churchill Downs – Caralowe) may be ageing but certainly like a good wine, the now veteran nine-year setting a class record over this distance to end his 2019-2020 campaign, and begins the new term with a sparkling near-last-to-first victory here. That's win three in a row, all at 1200m in Class 4 for trainer Francis Lui. He carried 130lb today and even a class rise may not stop him next time. His 22.11 last 400m eclipsed the field sectionally.
Runner-up: SUPER RED DRAGON adds another placing to his record, still winless after 14 starts but racing well through the back end of last season and into the new term. A nice turn of speed to put them away at the 300m but he peaked on that late to succumb to the former. Likely finds his best at 1400m to a mile.
Run Of The Race: WINSTON'S LAD the standout, terrific performance to come from last and beat them. And a real thumbs up to ELIGERE who also steamed home nicely very wide on the track to nail third money. He was a Moonee Valley winner on debut in 2018 but winless in 13 starts in Hong Kong. That losing streak won't last too long.
Disappointment: Favourite HERO STAR was close enough to be a factor but didn't finish it off strongly enough over the final stages. Thew well backed DIAMOND PEGASUS failed to settle and weakened after being ridden forward.
Comparison: Outside standard, and exemplary effort from the winner to give them a big head start off some moderate sectionals up-front.
Market Mover: SUPER RED DRAGON $13.60 to $10.20, DIAMOND PEGASUS $7.50 to $5.10
RACE 4 - YI TUNG SHAN HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 - Turf 'A' Course – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:09.40 Standard Time: 1:09.25 Course/Class Record: 1:08.45
Winner: BRIGHT KID (AUS 6yo g Show A Heart – Exedra) ended last season in great form and shows the benefit of the short break since with a slick finish to beat these rather easily under Zac Purton, the champion rider on the board in 2020-2021. Zac had to ride him along a little early to stay in touch, ending up three-wide and three-back with cover, peeling wide for his run at the top of the straight and too quick from there. That's two wins in his last four after being without a win in his first 20 starts in Hong Kong. Chris So will get a third out of him soon, too.
Runner-up: BREEZE OF SPRING impressed with a big bold finish from near last, a decent lift in effort after some lacklustre runs at the back end of last season. The son of Pins is handy at his best and this indicates he's about to win for trainer Peter Ho. The tote support suggested he would run well.
Run Of The Race: BREEZE OF SPRING and COPARTNER ERA both did some fine work from the tail of the field and the clock confirmed it, fast final 400m splits.
Disappointment: Favourite UNTOLD RICHES, a Kiwi import by Swiss Ace, was on debut and well backed but didn't have a kick to hold the first two, battling OK into third.
Comparison: Another one outside standard, rail definitely needs a meeting or two on it to find a groove, centre-track more the place to be in the opening events.
Market Mover: BREEZE OF SPRING $45.60 to $16.90
RACE 5 - MA ON SHAN HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 - Turf 'A' Course – Distance 1400m – Track Good
Time: 1:22.25 Standard Time: 1:21.85 Course/Class Record: 1:20.80
Winner: LEAP OF FAITH (AUS 4yo g Sebring – Steps In Time) finished his first season of racing with win one of his career back in June, and continues the good work with a spectacular return to the race track in beating these after sitting three-wide without cover for the entire race. Literally friendless in the market at 13/1 he had to speed over from gate 14 and was never on the track, arrogantly siding up to lead at the 300m and just would not yield, a brilliant win. He will jump into Class 3 now and with a real easing in weight he's going to be a very competitive horse in that grade. Just seven career starts and fresh legs are going to be his friend. John Size and Joao Moreira combine and that will be a popular combo this season for punters.
Runner-up: ANGEL OF MY EYES had the nice lead on the rail after jumping best and certainly the advantage but simply bowed to a superior performance on the day. Another very lightly raced horse, just start three today, and he's going to have a good season for Danny Shum.
Run Of The Race: LEAP OF FAITH exemplary from all angles.
Disappointment: SUMSTREETSUMWHERE was heavily backed to win the race and had the drop on them trailing fourth on the rail. Into the clear in plenty of time but could not reel them in. KELMIMI WINS also regarded as disappointing.
Comparison: Outside standard in a trend on the day. No fire in the track on day one of the season.
Market Mover: SUMSTREETSUMWHERE $3.50 to $2.50
RACE 6 - LIN FA SHAN HANDICAP, HK $1,000,000
Class 4 – Rating 60-40 - Turf 'A' Course – Distance 1000m – Track Good
Time: 0:55.93 Standard Time: 0:56.50 Course/Class Record: 0:55.07
Winner: PRINCE OF GEMS (AUS 6yo g I Am Invincible – Rivers Secret) had to be good to win this, drew barrier one and as we know coming from the inside to the outside is never an easy feat over 1000m at Sha Tin. Smart rider on board helped, Antoine Hamelin is a very skilled. He quietly eased across towards the pack and saved his petrol for later under the topweight of 133lb and timed it nicely to score convincingly. This horse won on debut in Hong Kong in February 2019 but only started three times last season, all before Christmas. So, great work from new trainer Tony Millard to resurrect his career.
Runner-up: PEGASUS GLORY was very brave, hustled long to be handy then up challenging the leader UNITED WE STAND inside the final 600m. Never stopped trying, a grand run in his first ever race start. Sold for $100,000 at the Gold Coast Yearling Sale in 2018 and three times placed at the trials in 2019 before import.
Run Of The Race: Winner great and also a mention to DUBLIN STAR, a horse to follow next time around. He came from near last to run fourth and had next time up written all over him in a slick 22.09 final 400m section. He's already an impressive 1000m winner at Sha Tin.
Disappointment: Leader and favourite UNITED WE STAND did seem to have his chance on the outside rail with the extremely helpful claim of apprentice Jerry Chau. Not dreadful in third but you couldn't help but feel he gave away a good opportunity.
Comparison: Quicker now they get to the outside rail in the 1000m sprint. Well under standard. Often is the case at Sha Tin.
Market Mover: SUPER WINNER $15.20 to $8.30
RACE 7 - LANTAU PEAK HANDICAP, HK $1,500,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-60 - Turf 'A' Course – Distance 1000m – Track Good
Time: 0:55.78 Standard Time: 0:56.35 Course/Class Record: 0:54.89
Winner: METRO WARRIOR (AUS 4yo g Fastnet Rock – Scandinavia) is a horse David Hayes won a couple with in Victoria at 1100m, he shipped him across to Hong Kong after Christmas to acclimatise, twice placing from four starts in the John Moore stable. David has the polish on him since his own arrival back in Hong Kong, a very tidy trial with race rider Zac Purton up on August 28 pointed to a big effort. He's quick, the wide gate in 11 did help him at the 1000m start but he was superior to them today taking control the final 250m. A strong sprinting family, dam won Group 2 QTC Cup and she's left eight winners from 10 foals.
Runner-up: ALLIED AGILITY also drew out in gate nine and that helped him, he ran a lot closer to the speed again here, often more noted back runner in his earlier career he has switched on to being quite pacey early in more recent starts. From 12 starts he's already gained four wins under the guidance of Ricky Yiu and the fifth one will come soon as he slides into top form immediately this season.
Run Of The Race: The well backed TAKE WHAT YOU NEED had to work against the outside bias and his performance matched that of any other in the race. Used early to get into the front half he never stopped trying as the outside ones held advantage. And mark down TELECOM JAC as one to follow, very handy effort from last, late. First start in HK after three NSW country wins as 'Royal Factor' for Matthew Dunn. He started $344 here, won't be next start.
Disappointment: WAR OF COURAGE worked a bit early from an unders draw but was first beaten as a well backed commodity.
Comparison: Another slick run out wide over the flying 1000m. Well under standard.
Market Mover: TAKE WHAT YOU NEED $25.20 to $8.50, HEART CONQUERED $15.90 to $7.90
RACE 8 - THE HKSAR CHIEF EXECUTIVE'S CUP HANDICAP, HK $3,000,000
Class 1 – Rating 90+ - Turf 'A' Course – Distance 1200m – Track Good
Time: 1:08.42 Standard Time: 1:08.45 Course/Class Record: 1:07.80
Winner: PERFECT MATCH (AUS 5yo g Not A Single Doubt – Modave) has been a star performer for trainer Danny Shum and he begins the new racing season on a real high in taking the day's feature race to register his eighth career win from just 16 starts. Great to see it done it in a different style though, usually found in front and coasting along at good speed he was found back off the pace today and powering home, a nice new string to his bow as he climbs high in the grades. Big win for returning French jockey Alexis Badel, a very talented rider who is contracted for the full season after shorter but successful stints in the past. Smart horse this, the record proves it.
Runner-up: JOLLY BANNER kicks his nine-year-old season off in good fashion, the veteran with just eight starts last season winning late in Group 3 company over 1400m in June. He looks to have bounced back up on his toes for another run in top company, the former Victorian quite prolific at times in a long Hong Kong stint spread over five seasons, now into his sixth. Expecting him to show his very best again at 1400m to 1600m. He came from well back to hit the line really strongly at long odds here.
Run Of The Race: Third-placed VICTORIAM was great in resuming proving his worth in a very tough grade. Just 15 race starts and quite inexperienced in comparison to the older hard heads in Class 1 and 2 company but he'll handle it. And again, nice to see him get off speed and find the line today which is a good sign moving forward. He'd been able to dominate running on-pace in the lighter grades.
Disappointment: COMPUTER PATCH or CHAMPIONS WAY could be considered the disappointments. Well supported to win this they were on the pace and had their chances but battled the final furlong or so.
Comparison: Back on the standard, not slow by any stretch, a mere continuation of the solidly unspectacular times on the day.
Market Mover: PERFECT MATCH $12.70 to $8.10, VICTORIAM $41.50 to $15.90
RACE 9 - SUNSET PEAK HANDICAP, HK $1,500,000
Class 3 – Rating 80-60 - Turf 'A' Course – Distance 1400m – Track Good
Time: 1:21.65 Standard Time: 1:21.65 Course/Class Record: 1:20.62
Winner: EXCELLENT PROPOSAL (AUS 4yo g Exceed And Excel – Procrastination) won three from four starts in New South Wales, one at Randwick and one at Rosehill for Richard and Michael Freedman before his export. One start in Hong Kong in July under the guidance of John Size showing instant form when second over 1200m at Sha Tin. He's returned looking sharp, though with luck going against him in the early stages of the run home he looked in deep trouble. Joao found the gap just at the right time to pierce through and win very late, his third winning ride on the card to take the premiership title lead on day one. Bright future this horse. Mum won to 1500m, he should get a good mile.
Runner-up: STAR PERFORMANCE sliced through like he'd win, only to be gunned down by the winner very late in the piece. A really encouraging lift in performance from the Per Incanto gelding, he showed plenty winning on debut in Hong Kong in mid 2019 but was winless in 11 starts last season. Drought will soon be over.
Run Of The Race: GIFT OF LIFELINE may not have been the best in the race but certainly the unlucky one, starved for a gap when it was needed and went to the line under wraps. At 30/1 here, the winner of three from 18 in Hong Kong will be banking a big cheque early this term. GREAT TREASURE was also great out wide from last with 112lb. Lightweight danger next time on that effort.
Disappointment: Not one to label as disappointing here, a really competitive race and most look headed for better form.
Comparison: On the standard.
Market Mover: THE HULK $25.60 to $12.50, UNCLE STEVE $10.90 to $7.80
Suspended: H N Wong (GREAT TREASURE) 2 days for careless riding over the concluding stages
RACE 10 - TAI MO SHAN HANDICAP, HK $2,200,000
Class 2 – Rating 100-80 - Turf 'A' Course – Distance 1400m – Track Good
Time: 1:21.12 Standard Time: 1:21.35 Course/Class Record: 1:20.29
Winner: MONGOLIAN KING (NZ 8yo g Sufficient – Lord Ballina) was well-fancied on the tote and the money spot on in the end as the veteran shows some real dash off a spell to pick them up with some arrogance to register win four from 38 starts in HK. He had struggled in Class 2 and 3 last term, winning just once in 15 starts and that on the all-weather track. But some zest in his effort on return after a couple of months away, flying home from well back under Karis Teetan to get the job done with 129lb. The winner of four from six for Bjorn Baker in Sydney as 'War Pig', he's been no star but a tough old warrior in Hong Kong.
Runner-up: BALLISTIC KING looked well forward at the trials when hard held and he brought that form to the races, overcoming gate 13 to swoop late and grab his tenth top-three finish in Hong Kong from 18 attempts. A maiden winner for Te Akau in New Zealand, he has been very consistent despite finding himself in a tough class now rated in the high 80s. What does help him right now are light weights in Class 1 and 2.
Run Of The Race: Plenty of smart efforts from back in the pack, though hard to go past STAR SHINE who had none behind him and he swept on home to beat all but the top pair. Quite impressive when he won at Happy Valley towards the end of last season and not finished yet.
Disappointment: HAPPY FUN did not hit out as expected and rider Zac Purton stated he felt the horse was uncomfortable in his action and travelled only fairly.
Comparison: A shave under standard to complete the card where the course proper played evenly but lacked fire all day.
Market Mover: SUPER OASIS $6.30 to $4.70, Mongolian king $7.10 TO $5.30
